This study is an initial survey of the genetic
diversity and population structure of the endangered
Bonelli’s Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) in SW Europe
(Iberia) and NW Africa, two locations where the species
has undergone a severe decrease in numbers during
the last decades. It is also the first study in which
the mitochondrial control region (CR) has been used
to study the genetic diversity and population structure
of this species. Samples were obtained from 72 individuals
from Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and a 253-
bp fragment of the mitochondrial control region was
amplified and sequenced. Only three polymorphisms
were present, indicating low nucleotide and haplotype
diversity. No evidence of genetic structure was found.
Several hypotheses may explain these results, including
a possible greater genetic diversity in other regions of
the mitochondrial genome or the existence of a presumed
ancient bottleneck (last glaciation), possibly
followed by a human-induced more recent one (twentieth
century).